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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note--there are 25 stations of unknown type; 75% of commercial broadcasts must be in the Latvian language; remainder mostly in Russian and European languages

Radios [time series]

1.4 million (1993 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

Lattelekom is 51% state owned, plans to privatize in 2000 to satisfy EU concerns; 50,000 people are on the waiting list to receive telephone service; Internet service is available throughout Latvia domestic: local--two cellular service providers; NMT-450 and GSM standards provide service nationwide; over 75% of population covered; intercity--two synchronous digital hierarchy fiber-optic rings form the national backbone; 11 digital switching centers, 3 service centers international: Latvia has international fiber-optic connectivity to Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, and an undersea fiber-optic cable to Sweden

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

710,848 (1997)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

30 (origin of TV broadcasts must be 40% Latvian and 40% other European languages)

Televisions [time series]

NA; note--almost 100% of the population have TV access, 16% have VCRs, and 20% have cable or satellite dishes (1995)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture--products) [time series]

grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.33 billion expenditures: $1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Latvian lat (LVL) = 100 santims

Debt - external (Debt--external) [time series]

$212 million (1998)

Economic aid (Economic aid--recipient) [time series]

$96.2 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy--overview) [time series]

Developments in 1998 include an invitation to join the World Trade Organization (the first Baltic country invited), GDP growth of 3.6% (down from 6% in 1997), and reduced inflation at 4.7% (from 8.4% in 1997). The drop in GDP growth is largely attributable to the impact of Russia's financial crisis and reduced investment in emerging markets following the Asian financial troubles. Unofficial sanctions that Russia imposed in the spring initially hit Latvia's exporters--Russia is among Latvia's top three trade partners--but also prompted them to seek alternative markets. Latvia continued its strict fiscal and monetary policy, including its second balanced budget and had a 1.8% budget surplus. Its draft 1999 budget is based on conservative projections of 2% to 4% GDP growth and 4.5% inflation. Unemployment climbed to 9.2% in 1998, a considerable increase over the 6.7% rate in 1997. Latvia continued to have a high current account deficit, estimated at about 9%. Privatization of large state utilities--especially the energy sector--was postponed and is unlikely to resume before late 1999. EU accession remains Latvia's top priority, and Latvia expects to be invited to start EU accession talks by the end of 1999. Continued troubles in the Russian and East Asian economies probably will hold growth to around 2.5% in 1999.

Electricity - consumption (Electricity--consumption) [time series]

6.18 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - exports (Electricity--exports) [time series]

300 million kWh (1996)

Electricity - imports (Electricity--imports) [time series]

3.28 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - production (Electricity--production) [time series]

3.2 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - production by source (Electricity--production by source) [time series]

fossil fuel: 28.12% hydro: 71.88% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

lats (LVL) per US$1--0.570 (January 1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996), 0.528 (1995), 0.560 (1994)

Exports [time series]

$1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, textiles, foodstuffs

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

Russia 21%, Germany 14%, UK 14%, Sweden 8% (1997)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity--$9.7 billion (1998 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP--composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 7% industry: 28% services: 65% (1997)

Real GDP per capita (GDP--per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity?$4,100 (1998 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP--real growth rate) [time series]

3.6% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.1% (1993)

Imports [time series]

$3.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

fuels, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

Russia 16%, Germany 16%, Finland 10%, Sweden 8% (1997)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3% (1998 est.)

Industries [time series]

buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4.7% (1998 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.4 million (1997)

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

industry 41%, agriculture and forestry 16%, services 43% (1990)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.2% (1998)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 64,589 sq km land: 64,589 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative (Area--comparative) [time series]

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Coastline [time series]

531 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m

Environment - current issues (Environment--current issues) [time series]

air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases

International environmental agreements (Environment--international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geographic coordinates [time series]

57 00 N, 25 00 E

Irrigated land [time series]

160 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,150 km border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 27% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 46% other: 14% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite

Terrain [time series]

low plain

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

26 counties (singular--rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons

Capital [time series]

Riga

Constitution [time series]

the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: Latvia local long form: Latvijas Republika local short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador James H. HOLMES embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Ojars Eriks KALNINS chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Vilis KRISTOPANS (since 21 November 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (amended from a three-year term on 4 December 1997); election last held 18 June 1996 (next to be held by NA June/July 1999); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Guntis ULMANIS elected president in the first round of balloting; percent of parliamentary vote--Guntis ULMANIS 53%, Ilga KREITUSE 25%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms--amended from three-year term on 4 December 1997) elections: last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TVB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 8%; seats by party--People's Party 24, LC 21, TSP 16, TVB/LNNK 17, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 18 November (1918)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

New Party [Raimonds PAULS]; V. IVANOV]; Christian People's Party or KTP (formerly People's Front ADAMSONS]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens

Introduction

Background [time series]

Along with most of the other small nations of Europe, Latvia shares a history of invasion by a succession of expansionist nations, e.g., Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Russia. After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940 under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The USSR recaptured Latvia from its German occupiers in 1944. Latvia reestablished its independence in August 1991, a few months prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union; the last Russian troops left in 1994. The status of ethnic Russians, who make up 30% of the population, is an issue of concern to Moscow. Unemployment has become a growing problem and Latvia hopes to receive an invitation to begin EU accession talks by the end of 1999.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures--dollar figure) [time series]

$60 million (1999)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures--percent of GDP) [time series]

0.9% (1999)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower--availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 565,811 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower--fit for military service) [time series]

males age 15-49: 443,879 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower--military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower--reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 16,883 (1999 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18% (male 216,369; female 207,242) 15-64 years: 67% (male 749,396; female 825,988) 65 years and over: 15% (male 114,038; female 240,841) (1999 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

8.1 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate [time series]

15.82 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

17.19 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages [time series]

Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 67.3 years male: 61.24 years female: 73.66 years (1999 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 99% (1989 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian

Net migration rate [time series]

-4.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population [time series]

2,353,874 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-1.25% (1999 est.)

Religions [time series]

Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.18 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes--international) [time series]

draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamines, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export

Transportation

Airports [time series]

50 (1994 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports--with paved runways) [time series]

total: 36 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 27 (1994 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports--with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 10 (1994 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 55,942 km paved: 21,426 km unpaved: 34,516 km (1997 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 42,429 GRT/44,583 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1998 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils

Railways [time series]

total: 2,412 km broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992) narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)

Waterways [time series]

300 km perennially navigable